Wrestlers have strong outlook

The ambition, determination, honor and glory is set to return to Baldwin High School as the wrestlers hit the mats in preparation for the new season. The team is 38 strong, led by six senior wrestlers, head coach Kit Harris and assistant coaches Steve Pierce and Bobby Boviard.

The wrestlers have many hopes for the upcoming competitions.

"I'd like to make it to state this year," junior Witt Hinton said. "I trained a lot over the summer. I'm going to work hard at practice and I hope not to get pinned all year."

Pierce will begin his wrestling coach career at BHS this year. It will be his first experience as a wrestling coach.

"I need to learn the types of wrestling moves and techniques that have evolved from when I wrestled," Pierce said. "I look forward to teaching the relative beginners the kinds of moves that will make them better wrestlers."

The team is expected to improve in areas of experience, competition and success compared to last year.

"We are more balanced and solid, teamwise, than last year," head coach Kit Harris said. "We are so much more improved but are facing a much tougher schedule at the same time."

The team will spend the first part of the year emphasizing technique and training for the grueling competitions in January. February will be spent in preparation for post-season qualification for state competitors.

The coaching staff holds a philosophy to maximize the potential success in each wrestler on and off the wrestling mat and for the kids to strive to be scholars, athletes and gentlemen.

"Our goals for the season are to compete, to have some fun, to win some hardware, to represent BHS, to get after it and be tough 'sons-a-guns'," Harris said.

The first competition will be the Second Annual Purple/Silver Classic on Nov. 28 in which the top two Bulldog wrestlers in each weight bracket compete for varsity positions. The first varsity competition is the Leavenworth Challenger on Saturday Dec. 2.